Appiatse explosion, a lesson learnt the hard way

Transporting explosives by road comes with huge risks and therefore the best international directives and regulations need to be followed.

Weak adherence to safety standards can cause accidents, with disastrous consequences.

Last Thursday’s tragedy at Appiatse, a predominantly farming community in the Western Region, involving a truck carrying explosives meant for the Chirano Gold Mine, sent shock waves through the country.

The blast, which occurred around mid-day, flattened the community and left between 13 and 17 people dead, with some 36 on admission and 96 treated and discharged, while hundreds are displaced.

Full-scale investigations have commenced on the fatal accident but suffice it to say that the blast of such magnitude was least expected.

We are happy about the swift efforts from the rescue personnel that helped to save many lives. Besides, we are also encouraged by the humanitarian response so far, especially the distribution of relief items, and pray that this will be done in a fair and equitable manner so that all victims of the inferno will benefit.

But, while the nation broods over this unfortunate accident, those who have lost property and their loved ones must be immediately attended to, to lessen their difficulties.

It is equally refreshing that the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, while touring the disaster site yesterday, assured residents of the town that the government was collaborating with mining companies and the State Housing Corporation to rebuild the devastated community. It is our expectation that this will be done with dispatch.

Many a time, Betancourtic tendencies tend to frustrate good intentions and in the long run, it is the ordinary person who suffers the consequences.

Even as efforts are made to assuage the suffering of the victims, the issue of how explosives are transported from one point to the other safely comes to mind.

There are strict regulations and guidelines on how such materials are transported by road. For instance, Regulation 33 (1) of the Minerals And Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2177) states that a person who holds an operating licence may apply for a permit to transport a specific type and amount of explosives while Regulation 33 (2) indicates that a person who transports explosives under a Form P permit shall give notice to the Chief Inspector about the type and amount of explosives to be transported at least forty-eight hours before the explosives are transported.

Furthermore, Regulation 125 specifies that a person who transports explosives shall ensure that a definite arrangement is made to enable the vehicle used for transporting the explosives to have a right-of-way before the vehicle is moved.

Ghanaians would like to know whether these regulations were adhered to in the accident at Appiatse

As a country, we cannot do things anyhow and expect that all will be well. This must be a lesson to be learnt the hard way by all of us.

The Daily Graphic hopes that appropriate measures and policy directives will be put in place to avert such incidents which eventually lead to the loss of lives and property.

This is a lesson learnt the hard way and it must not be repeated.

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